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About this project

“To watch Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet is to be transported to a different world, and at times a different dimension that is strangely unsettling amid moments of haunting beauty..." - Eliza Ingles, The Post and Courier

Under the Artistic Direction of Benoit-Swan Pouffer, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet has distinguished itself through both its exceptionally talented corps of sixteen dancers whose daring, athletic movement integrates ballet with contemporary and popular forms. The dancers of Cedar Lake take audiences on a choreographic journey that explores the infinite possibilities of movement and multimedia.

Jon Bond, Matthew Rich, Ebony williams. Photo by Erez Sabag, 2013.

For Cedar Lake's 2012-2013 touring season, Benoit-Swan is creating a new work for Cedar Lake's male dancers entitled NU.

The work explores the barriers that are constructed around our
identity as individuals within society and as a group, attempting to reach the
visceral, emotional core that lies beneath this layer. It takes guts and courage
to excavate this aspect of one's personality—a struggle that will be examined in the work. The powerful bodies
and personalities of Cedar Lake’s male dancers become the site of this
exploration, conveying both strength and vulnerability in their “nakedness” on stage.

We are asking for your support to help fund the work of our
collaborators – costumes by Maor Zabar and original score by Mikael Karlsson.

The men will wear body suits conceived by the Israeli designer Maor Zabar, depicting internal organs as if they were tattooed on the dancers’ bodies. Maor’s designs use digital printing to render stunningly realistic images onto garments. Mikael Karlsson, who has worked on Benoit-Swan’s installations in the past, creates beautiful soundscapes for the dancers to live in. Combining electronic sound and original music with pre-existing recordings, Mikael creates a unique tone for the work.

NU will premiere in Baden Baden in June 2013. If you cannot travel to Germany to see the work, don’t distress! We will be videoing the finished project to share with all of our wonderful and generous supporters.

Supporters will be invited to special open rehearsals in New York - check out the gifts for details! NU will also join Cedar Lake’s touring repertoire, and we will keep everyone updated as additional dates are finalized.

Risks and challenges

Our only risk is not raising the funds to complete the final phase of the project - that is to fully realize the work of our collaborators as Benoit-Swan has envisioned it. The residencies of the collaborators are in place, it is the production of these elements - costume and score - for which we ask for your support!

We hope you will help us make this project a reality. If you're a fan, we also hope that you will share this project and the company's work with your friends, family, and loved ones!

Cedar Lake was established as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit foundation in 2011.

FAQ

Rewards

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Pledge $10 or more

10 backers

The Raindrops: Thank you! It takes a million drops of water to make a lake, and every one counts! For your support, we will create a special thank you on our website and a signed thank you letter from our Artistic Director.

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

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Pledge $50 or more

3 backers

The April Shower: Thank you! For your support, you will receive all of the above...plus an 8x10 glossy photograph of the company signed by Benoit-Swan.

Estimated delivery:May 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

1 backer

UPDATE & UPGRADE!! Everyone who pledges (or has pledged!) at the $50 level or higher will now receive an 11x17 glossy photo. Rather than 8x10.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

7 backers

The Summer Storm: Thank you! For your generosity, you will receive all of the above...plus an invitation to an open rehearsal at Cedar Lake's Chelsea studio, followed by a conversation with Swan and the dancers.

Estimated delivery:Apr 2013

You selected

Pledge $250 or more

4 backers

The Streams: Thank you! For you generosity, you will receive all of the above, plus an exclusive DVD of Benoit-Swan's Summer 2012 Installation at Cedar Lake - it isn't for sale anywhere else!

Estimated delivery:Apr 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $500 or more

1 backer

The Pools: Thank you! Thank you! For your awesomeness, you will receive all of the above...plus an invitation to the tech rehearsals of the completed work before it's premiere in Baden-Baden!

Estimated delivery:Apr 2013

You selected

Pledge $750 or more

1 backer

The Rivers: Thank you! Thank you! For your awesomeness, you will receive all of the above....plus a pair of tickets to Cedar Lake’s 2013 season at the Joyce Theater. Joyce performances will feature a world premiere of a new work by Andonis Foniadakis, the NY premiere of Cedar Lake in "Indigo Rose" by Jiri Kylian, and "10 Duets on a Theme of Rescue" by Crystal Pite.

Estimated delivery:Apr 2013

You selected

Pledge $1,250 or more

1 backer

The Lake: Wow - THANK YOU! For your generosity, you will receive all of the above...plus Benoit-Swan will choreograph a special duet just for you! To be performed at Cedar Lake for you and your closest friends.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2013

Funding period

Feb 11, 2013 - Mar 9, 2013
(26 days)

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